Turkey neck is an unsightly condition that many people develop as they age. It occurs when the skin under the chin and on the neck sags and wrinkles, causing the area to resemble the neck of a turkey. While turkey neck is common as we get older, there are ways to prevent it or improve the appearance of an existing turkey neck.
What Causes Turkey Neck?
There are several factors that cause turkey neck to develop
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Aging – As we get older, skin loses collagen and elastin, which are proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. This causes skin to sag.
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Genetics – Some people inherit skin that is prone to sagging. So if your parents or grandparents had turkey neck, you are more likely to get it too.
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Lifestyle Factors – Things like smoking, sun exposure, and poor diet can accelerate the aging process of skin and cause it to lose elasticity faster.
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Weight Changes – Gaining and losing weight can make turkey neck worse. When you gain weight, extra fat can deposit around the neck area. When you lose weight, skin may not retract if it has lost elasticity.
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Gravity – Over time, gravity causes the skin and tissues of the face and neck to droop downwards.
What Does Turkey Neck Look Like?
Some of the characteristics of turkey neck include:
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Loose, sagging skin under the chin and along the jawline
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Vertical lines or wrinkles on the neck
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Excess fat and skin hanging below the jawline
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Jowls or loose skin on the sides of the face that hang down
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A poorly defined jawline and obscured angle where the jaw meets the neck
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Thin skin that crinkles or creases when stretched or pulled
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Horizontal neck folds and bands
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A “double chin” or excess fat under the chin
The appearance can range from mild skin laxity to pronounced, hanging folds of skin that sway under the chin. The skin may feel thin or crepey and look bumpy or dimpled rather than smooth.
How To Prevent and Treat Turkey Neck
While you can’t stop the aging process, there are some steps you can take to prevent or minimize turkey neck:
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Moisturize the neck – Using moisturizers formulated for the neck that contain ingredients like retinol can improve skin texture.
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Protect from sun – Sun damage hastens aging of the skin. Use sunscreen and protective clothing.
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Quit smoking – Smoking restricts blood vessels and can accelerate wrinkling.
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Eat healthy diet – Eat plenty of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to protect your skin.
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Exercise neck muscles – Do exercises like chin lifts to strengthen neck muscles and improve turkey neck appearance.
There are also many treatment options available for improving the look of an existing turkey neck.
Nonsurgical Options for Turkey Neck
Nonsurgical options provide subtle improvements without surgery:
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Wrinkle creams – Look for creams containing retinol or peptides to improve skin texture.
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Laser/light treatments – Lasers and devices using radiofrequency or ultrasound energy can tighten skin.
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Injections – Dermal fillers can plump up neck skin. Botox can reduce neck bands. Kybella dissolves fat under the chin.
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Microneedling – Using small needles to puncture the skin triggers collagen production.
These treatments require multiple sessions for gradual results. Maintenance treatments may be needed.
Surgical Options for Turkey Neck
For more pronounced results, plastic surgery procedures can remove excess skin and tighten underlying tissue:
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Neck lift – Excess skin is removed and neck muscles tightened. Incisions are hidden under the chin.
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Lower facelift – Excess skin is removed from the neck up to the cheeks and jowls. Incisions are hidden around the ears.
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Liposuction – Removes excess fat from under the chin and neck area.
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Kybella – Can be used alone or with other procedures to remove fat.
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Laser resurfacing – Laser removes outer layers of skin to improve texture, tone, and tightness.
These procedures require recovery time but generally provide longer lasting improvements than nonsurgical options.
Finding an Experienced Plastic Surgeon
It’s important to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss which treatment options are right for your degree of turkey neck and desired outcome.
An experienced plastic surgeon can perform a thorough evaluation and help you understand the risks and benefits of each treatment. They can show you examples of actual patient results.
During your consultation, be sure to ask the surgeon questions about their experience performing neck procedures and the techniques they use. View before and after photos of their past neck lift patients.
With an array of treatment options now available, there are effective solutions to improve the appearance of turkey neck without surgery or with minimally invasive procedures. Talking to a skilled plastic surgeon is the first step toward feeling better about your neckline.
Treatments for turkey neck
While exercising the neck muscles can make them firmer, this wonât change the condition of the skin. You can get rid of turkey neck in a number of ways that will also make your neck look better.
Some treatments are non-invasive, which means they do not require surgery. Others use minimally invasive surgical techniques that use small incisions, or they involve traditional surgery.
“Your options will depend on a number of things, such as your age, skin type, and how bad the condition is,” says Salvatore Pacella, MD, division head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. A plastic surgeon who is board-certified and specializes in facial procedures can help you figure out which procedures will work best for you. â.
If you have vertical band-like lines on your neck, Botox or Dysport (neuromodulator) injections can help. These treatments temporarily reduce muscle activity in the neck and make the skin look more relaxed. Treatment takes just a few minutes and requires no recovery time; results generally last three to four months.
Various types of lasers can be used to heat and tighten the skin on the neck without surgery.
The results of laser treatment can range from mild to moderate, depending on the type used. Usually, multiple sessions are needed to get the desired outcome. Recovery time is often minimal, and the results can last for a few years.
Facelifts are surgeries that tighten and lift weak muscles in the face and neck and get rid of extra skin to make the jowls and neck look smoother and more toned.
So that the scars don’t show, the doctor will cut behind each ear. If necessary, he or she may also cut below the chin. After the surgery, patients wear an elastic compression bandage around the neck and head to reduce swelling.
A facelift and neck lift are often done together as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The whole process takes about an hour to two hours. Most people have some bruises and swelling for the first week or so. After two weeks, they can go back to work and other activities. Different types of the technique pull the face and neck in different ways to make the result look very natural. Â.
âIn my practice, I perform an advanced technique known as the deep plane facelift,â Dr. Pacella notes. âThis is a great modification of a traditional facelift which supports the deep ligaments of the face. Traditional facelifts may only last seven to ten years, but this type of surgery can make you look better for fifteen to twenty years. â.
Dr. Pacella also specializes in the mini facelift, a less invasive procedure for people who want more subtle improvements.
Fat transfer can be used to get rid of extra skin or skin that has become loose over time because of the natural loss of facial fat. This process involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, similar to liposuction. The fat is treated gently to purify its natural stem cells. These cells are then precisely injected into areas that need more volume or âplumping. â Fat transfer may cause some swelling for about two weeks after the procedure.
“Fat transfer is also often used with facial rejuvenation procedures like neck lifts and deep plane lifts to add volume and bring back the natural, youthful shape of your neck that you’ve lost over time,” says Dr. Pacella.
Cosmetic treatments can tighten sagging neck skin
Loose, wrinkled, or sagging skin on the neck may look good on a turkey, but many people don’t want it as they get older. Â.
âTurkey neckâ happens when the neck muscles begin to weaken and the skin loses elasticity. The loose skin can become droopy and wrinkled, drawing unflattering comparisons to the neck of a turkey.
Age and sun exposure are the main culprits of sagging skin. You can’t stop getting older, but staying out of the sun and keeping your face and neck moist can help. Also, giving up smoking can help. Turkey neck often runs in families. If a parent has it, you may have a higher chance of getting it too.
Simple Procedure Treats “Turkey Neck” Without Surgery
FAQ
How do you know if you have a turkey neck?
Will losing weight get rid of turkey neck?
At what age does turkey neck start?
What is the best non-surgical neck tightening procedure?
Why does my neck look like a Turkey?
Because of the skin’s looseness, it’s often compared to the look of a turkey. For the most part, this condition happens when your neck skin loses its elasticity and collagen. This results in the sagging and folding excess skin. It’s a very common issue that many men and women face as they go through the natural aging process.
What is a wry neck?
The term “wry neck” is a non-medical description of a condition called torticollis. Torticollis is a twisting of the neck that leaves the head turned or tilted to one side, often with an inability to move the head. The cause is unknown and can be present at birth, presumably related to the position of the fetus in the womb that affects the neck muscles. Other potential causes include sleeping in an unusual position, viral infection, or injury. Neck spasm or scarring of the skin or muscles around the neck (as may occur with burn injuries) may lead to torticollis.
Does aging skin look like turkey neck?
However, the appearance of aging skin—like turkey neck—can be treated with a number of aesthetic procedures. This is a noninvasive procedure that involves injecting neurotoxins into sagging neck skin.
What is turkey neck meat?
Unlike those larger muscle groups, turkey neck meat consists of numerous small muscles — once cooked, it transforms into tender, juicy shreds that can be lifted from the bones, making it a versatile addition to a wide range of recipes.
Are turkey necks good?
Turkey necks are an often overlooked and underrated gem in the world of poultry. While they might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of turkey, necks are a treasure trove of flavor. Packed with succulent meat and rich in collagen, they are perfect for making savory stocks, broths, and soups.
Is Turkey Neck a medical term?
“Turkey neck” may not be an official medical term, but people know it when they see it. “Patients are dissatisfied with the appearance of their profile or the front view of their face because of excess skin, soft tissue and lax neck muscles,” says Dr. Newman.